# NTSB MIA87LA206: Piper PA-32R-300, N4647F, Hastings, FL, July 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1987, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Hastings, FL
- Location: 29.7144° N, 81.4992° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hastings, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7144&lon=-81.4992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31940
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA206
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31940/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA206

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD JUST LIFTED FROM THE 2300 FT WET GRASS STRIP, WHERE HE ESTIMATED THE GRASS TO BE ABOUT 6 IN TO 1 FT HIGH, WHEN HE SUSTAINED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS. THE ACFT STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT AT THE END OF THE RWY & SHEARED THE GEAR. AIR TEMP IN THE AREA WAS 96 DEGS, THE ELEV 25 FT & THE WINDS LIGHT. THE PLT STATED HE WAS 'NOT REAL COMFORTABLE' WITH THE CONDITIONS. A WITNESS STATED THE PLT DID NOT USE ALL THE RWY & OVERROTATED DRAGGING THE TAIL. THE PLT STATED HE USED FLAPS AS STATED IN FLT HANDBOOK. A POST CRASH EXAM OF THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE FLAPS REVEALED NO GROUND DAMAGE. THE ACFT'S ENGINE WAS TEST RUN SATISFACTORILY AFTER THE ACCIDENT & THE ENGINE PERFORMED WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4647F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4647F-2012-11-27), registration cancelled 2012-11-27, S/N 32R-7680472, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7680472
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Merritt Island Air Service
- Registered owner: Ramoth Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1987
- Departed: 80J
- Destination: COI
- Airport: Hastings Intl, runway 18, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,257 total, 34 in this make and model, 1,149 as pilot in command, 177 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 40 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870714034679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870714034679A), Jul 14, 1987: Piper PA32R300, Hastings, FL, Substantial damage. Premature lift off from 2200 foot high grass strip in cross wind on hot day. Struck embankment after liftoff.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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